Viscosity breaker and dirt remover



Feb. 27,, 1951 RECQRDS r 7 2,543,378

VISCOSITY BREAKER AND DIRT REMOVER I I Filed April 14, 1947 m HTTOR/YEYJ rarefied Feb. 2?, 1951 VISCOSITY BREAKER AND DIRT REMOVER Elmer H. Records and Edward Leslie Records, Tacoma, Wash.

Application April 14, 1947, Serial No. 741,216

3 maims. 1

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for the treating of heavy crude petroleum oil for the purpose of reducing its viscosity for the separation of dirt, sand, clay and other foreign substances therefrom, and to thereby make possible a more economical refining of the oil and the production of a clean and much higher gravity oil therefrom.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a means for and a method of treating heavy crude petroleum oils of high sulphur content in order that a clean, high gravity oil may be profitably refined therefrom.

Explanatory to this invention, it will here be stated that wh n low gravity crude petroleum oils are subjected to heat of a degree sufiicient to cause a break-down in the molecular structure of the thick, glue-like mass which constitutes and characterizes them, the sand, dirt, clay and other residue contained therein, which ordinarily renders such oil impractical for commercial refinement, will be released and by proper means can be separated therefrom. However, this heating of the oil creates a condition therein that results also in the formation of small specks of coke. This so called pin point coke, along with the released residue comprising sand, dirt, clay, etc., adds materially to the difliculties of refining such low gravity crude oils by present-day methods with any degree of satisfaction or economy.

, We have found, however, that by use of an appropriate apparatus, and by following a certain sequence of steps, comprising our novel method all this undesirable residue can be effectively separated and filtered from the heavy oil, leaving a clean and higher gravity oil that can be satisfactorily and profitably refined.

In view of the above, the principal of objects of this invention have been, first, to provide an apparatus whereby the viscosity of heavy crude petroleum oils can be reduced or broken and the clay, dirt and sand, along with the pin point coke that results from heating, released for separation therefrom. Second, to provide a method of treatment that will result in the reduction of viscosity with an incident release of residue for easy separation from the oil, and a breakdown of the oil that permits it to be refined, with an economical and profitable production of a high grade oil therefrom.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of parts of the apparatus and in its use for the purposes stated.

For carrying out the above. mentioned and other objects of the invention, we have provided a novel apparatus, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. l is a view diagrammatically illustrating the apparatus embodied by the present invention, a part of the retort being broken away to show interior construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, cross sectional view of the same taken on line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view showing details of the filter chamber construction Fig. 4 is an enlarged, sectional detail of one of the spray heads.

Referring more in detail to the drawings In Fig. l, which diagrammatically shows a preferred arran ement of the present apparatus, I designates an elongated, horizontally disposed cylindrical retort of a type of construction that is practical for the refining of oil and capable of sustaining the necessary internal pressure for its intended uses. This retort is equipped at a medial point and also near its opposite ends with sumps 3, 4 and 5, of graduated depths along the r retort and designed for the collection of the dirt,

sand, coke etc., and these sumps are individually and directly connected by means presently described, with a pair of filter chambers 6 and 6'.

The two filter chambers are of relatively small size and are located below and substantially medially of the ends of the retort, and for drainage purposes each has its bottom wall down- Wardly sloped to a central point.

The sumps 3, 4 and 5 are downwardly rounded, or tapered at their lower ends and are individually connected with the paired filter chambers through pipes i, 8 and 9, respectively; each of which pipes opens at its lower end into two branch lines, such as those designated at 8a and 8b in Fig. 2, which lead to the two filter chambers; one set of branch pipes leading to chamber 6 and the other set leading to chamber 6'. Each of the pipes I, 8 and 9 is equipped with a cut-off valve l2, and each of the branch lines with which they connect is equipped with a cut-01f valve l3, so that at any time one of the filter chambers may be cut 01? from the system for cleaning or repair while the process continues through use of the other chamber. Also, the valves I2 provide for cutting of? flow from the sumps to the filter chambers when such is desired.

The branch pipes leading from the lower end of each sump drain pipe, such as pipes 811 and 8b in Fig. 2, open into the top walls of the filter chambers and G and from the bottoms of the chambers, drain pipes it: lead oil to storage, and these pipes are equipped as in Fig. l with cut-ofi valves l3.

Each of the filter chambers 6 and 5' is horizontally divided, medially of its upper and lower ends, with a filter pad l7, and these pads are supported at their longitudinal edges between guides i8i23 as seen in Fig. 3. At least one end of each filter chamber has a removable cover plate as at E9 in Fig. 3, and when this plate is removed, the pad may be withdrawn from the chamber for cleaning or replacement. The filter pad used in the chamber may be of any suitable type and material for the int-ended use.

Located adjacent that end of the retort I, that we designate as the discharge end,is a small,closed settling chamber 20. This chamber is cylindrical, and is vertically disposed and extends from about the level of the lower end of sump 5 to above the oil level in the retort. A pipe 25 leads from the sump 5, at a level approximately midway of its upper and lower ends, into the chamber 20, opening into the latter at a location approximately midway between its upper and lower ends. Also, a drain pipe 26 leads from the lower, conical or downwardly rounded end wall of the chamber 29 into pipe below the cut-off valve l2 in the latter pipe.

Also, an oil take-off pipe 2'! leads off from chamber 2&1, from near its upper end, and above the pipe connection 25. This pipe 21 extends to an oil heater 28, presently described, where the oil from pipe 27 is reheated and returned to the retort through a pipe 23 which enters the retort through the end wall of the retort, above the oil level therein. A pump 36 is connected in pipe line 2? to provide forced flow. Also, a pipe connection 32 is provided from pipe 27 to pipe l5 and this has a cut-off valve 33 therein.

The crude oil to be treated and refined i delivered from a source or" supply, designated here by the pipe line 38, through an oil heater 4B of suitable kind, and from this flows through a pipe line 4i that extends along the top of the retort to several downwardly directed branches 42 that enter through the top walls of cylindrical domes 39 on the top wall of the retort at spaced intervals therealong. At their lower ends, within the upper ends of these domes, the pipes 42 are equipped with spray heads 53 whereby the hot oil is delivered downwardly in a finely atomized condition through the domes and into the retort as indicated best in Fig. 4. To provide adequate pressure in the line 5!, a pump, as at 44, may be installed as shown in Fig. 1.

At the discharge end of the retort, a pipe line 45 leads upwardly from the top of the retort and opens into one end of a relatively large, cylindrical and horizontally disposed drum 46, from the other end of which drum a vapor line 41 leads to the condenser, not here shown. Directed into one end of the drum is a spray line 48, equipped at its inner end with a spray head 49 whereby kerosene distillate stock, or the like, may be sprayed into the drum directly counter to the flow of vapors passing to the pipe 57, to cause a breakdown of the larger molecules of vapor and thus cause a lighter gravity oil to be deposited on reaching the con-'- denser.

The heater 28 previously mentioned, may be of any suitable type designed to receive steam from a source of supply through a supply pipe 50. A suitable arrangement in the heater would comprise a system of pipe coils, heated by gas flame means, not shown, or otherwise, and through which coils the steam from pipe 50 would flow and become superheated. A similar arrangement of coils could be provided in the heater and through which pipe line 2'! would be connected with pipe 29 for heating oil that is returned to the retort through line 29.

The heater 28 would be of such character as to superheat the steam to a temperature between 750 F. and 1000 F. The superheated steam then delivered into the retort through a pair or" pipe lines 5I5l that lead through one end wall and to the full length of the retort, near the bottom and at opposite sides below the level of oil, as seen in Fig. 2. These pipes are perforated at close intervals for the upward discharge of steam jets into the oil to heat and to keep the oil in motion; this latter being a requirement for the satisfactory separation of the coke and the drawing down of the dirt, clay and sand.

Also, located in the retort, below the oil level, but above the steam lines, and inserted from the ends of the retort, are electrical heating bayonets 55 of suitable kind and number to efiectively heat the oil to a temperature of from 650 F. to 1000 F.

It is anticipated that, in lieu of the oil heating means 40, the oil might be caused to pass at this point through a zone of high-frequency electric current to accomplish the same result and in a faster manner.

In the passing of oil through such a high frequency zone, the hydrocarbons will be increased in temperature in a few seconds sufiicient to cause a quick conversion of the substances from a state of high viscosity without the formation of carbon which is usually attendant where a longer period is used. Apparently the high frequency current neutralizes the polarization of the carbon and causes the carbon to separate and build up on the carbon nucleus first formed. This action improves and facilitates the conversion of the low gravity hydrocarbons to a product of higher gravity and stability. The use of a high frequency zone of this character is less expensive to use than any other catalyst we have heretofore used.

Assuming the apparatus to be so constructed, the method as practiced thereby would be as fol- IOWS:

The retort is first filled with the preheated crude oil from pipe line 4| to about half full. By means of the superheated steam admitted through pipes 5| and the heat of the electric bayonets 55, this charge of oil is then heated up to that predetermined temperature, best suited to the oil being treated, and it is also placed under a pressure created by the steam and vapor, that may range from to 350 pounds per square inch, as may be best suited to break the oil of an particular gravity. This heating under pressure breaks or reduces the viscosity of the oil, and allows the sand, dirt, clay and the like, to settle. Also, in view of the ,movement of oil in the retort, all released substances, including the pin point coke, are caused to settle into the several sumps. The vapor line 45 is then opened and vapors drawn on" for delivery through the drum 46 and pipe 41 to the condenser, and while this is taking place, the heated crude oil is delivered under pressure through pipe line 4| and spray heads 43 into the vapor chamber of the retort. Thus the vapors, under pressure from the spray heads are utilized to break a greater proportion of the incoming oil at the instant it enters the retort, but the heavy ends will drop down and.

mix with the retort charge and release its dirt and free carbon. This residue settles, with that from the retort charge, to the bottom and eventually is caught in the sumps.

The residue collected in the several sumps, will, upon the opening of the valves l2 in pipes 7, 3 and 9, be drawn off with some of the oil into the upper portion of the filter chambers. From below the filter pads, the clean oil can be drawn off through pipe 1 5 to storage or by opening valve 33 and closing valve 16, diverted through line 32 back into pipe 27. Likewise, the residue collected in the chamber 20 may be drained into pipe 26 and then into the filter chambers, and the clean oil from the top of chamber 20 pumped back through pipe line 27 to the superheater and returned into the retort through the pipe 29.

When it is desired to clean or repair a filter pad, the valves in pipes opening thereto are closed, the chamber drained, and then the end plate removed. The pad may then be drawn out and cleaned or replaced.

Thus, by this apparatus and method of treatment, the thick heavy oil that cannot ordinarily be profitably refined, is quickly and effectively reduced in degree of viscosity, its dirt removed along with the coke that is incident to heating; the oil is cleaned and can be kept in motion in the retort under proper heat and pressure to make refining profitable.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An oil treating apparatus of the character described comprising a closed, elongated and horizontally disposed vessel, with settling sumps opening into the bottom thereof at spaced intervals therealong, an oil preheater, spra heads opening into the top of the vessel at intervals therealong, means for delivering oil through the preheater and to the spray heads for discharge therefrom downwardly in form of spray into the vessel counter to rising. vapors, to maintain the charge at a predetermined level, with Vapor mixing space above it, a vapor discharge pipe leading from the top of the vessel, means in the vessel for heating the oil charge to a degree for breaking its viscosity to release the residue therein for deposit in the sumps, means for causing movement of oil toward the discharge end of the vessel, an oil filter, means for draining oil from the sumps to the filter, a closed settling chamber exterior of the vessel, a discharge pipe leading from the upper portion of the sump near one end of the vessel to the medial portion of said chamher, an oil take off pipe from the upper end of the said settling chamber, and a conduit system whereby oil from the filter and from the settling chamber may be delivered to storage.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 including also a vapor receiving drum having a discharge pipe at one end leading to a, condenser and into the opposite end of which drum the vapor discharge pipe from the vessel enters, and a spray means in the drum whereby oil of low gravity may be discharged into the drum counter to the flow of vapor passing to the condenser.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the said settling chamber extends from sump level to substantially above the level of the bottom of the vessel, and means for conducting oil from the base of said settling chamber to the filtering means.

ELMER H. RECORDS. E. LESLIE RECORDS.

REFERENSES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,239,423 Smith Sept. 4, 1917 1,337,831 Emerson Apr. 20, 1920 1,455,376 Adams May 15, 1923 1,567,062 Koontz Dec. 29, 1925 1,735 503 Kirschbraun Nov. 12, 1929 1,766,987 Eglofi June 24, 1930 1,786,315 Pew et al. Dec. 23, 1930 1,823,185 Belden Sept. 15, 1931 1,888,051 Seguy Nov. 15, 1932 2,064,743 Hadley Dec. 15, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 121,575 Switzerland July 16, 1927 

